Powering NYC: East River Ferry Tour

3.6(5 reviews)

3 hour(s)

english

New York, United States

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Up to 24 hours

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Sail past historic and abandoned East River islands

Learn how NYC’s power, steam, and gas systems were built

See former and current energy plants along the waterfront

Hear the future plans for Rikers Island and other key sites

Discover the hidden systems that keep New York City running by exploring the East River’s islands, shorelines, and critical infrastructure. This tour reveals the evolution of NYC’s power network—from the chaos of more than 170 early electric companies to the rise of Consolidated Edison—and examines how energy, steam, and gas shaped the city’s growth. As your guide explains the surprising stories behind demolished islands, abandoned facilities, and massive plants disguised in plain sight, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how the city that never sleeps stays powered around the clock.

Your journey continues aboard the NYC Ferry’s Soundview route, offering an up-close look at key sites including Roosevelt Island, Hell Gate, Randall’s Island, and the mysterious North and South Brother Islands. Along the way, you’ll explore the future of Rikers Island, learn about plans for a major waterfront redevelopment, and uncover shipwrecks and long-forgotten energy infrastructure. Led by energy expert Cullen Brown, this tour brings you behind the scenes of New York’s essential systems—past, present, and future—highlighting the visionaries, workers, and innovations that keep the city moving. Photos are encouraged, so feel free to tag .

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What's Included

Guided tour in English
Ferry ticket

What's Not Included

Gratuities

Comfortable walking shoes

Sunglasses & sunscreen

Camera

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Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather

Keep personal essentials

Have a camera ready to capture every special moment

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Activity Provider: Untapped New York

Customer Reviews

Explore More Powering NYC: East River Ferry Tour

Day In a City

Explore More Powering NYC: East River Ferry Tour

Discover the wonders of New York, United States with this unforgettable experience. Your journey continues aboard the NYC Ferry’s Soundview route, offering an up-close look at key sites including Roosevelt Island, Hell Gate, Randall’s Island, and the mysterious North and South Brother Islands. Along the way, you’ll explore the future of Rikers Island, learn about plans for a major waterfront redevelopment, and uncover shipwrecks and long-forgotten energy infrastructure. Led by energy expert Cullen Brown, this tour brings you behind the scenes of New York’s essential systems—past, present, and future—highlighting the visionaries, workers, and innovations that keep the city moving. Highlights of your tour include: Sail past historic and abandoned East River islandsLearn how NYC’s power, steam, and gas systems were builtSee former and current energy plants along the waterfrontHear the future plans for Rikers Island and other key sites. Sights on this tour include:The Site Where Thomas Edison Established the First Power-Generating Facility in the USACon Edison Steam Plant on East 14th St.Former Site of the Waterside Generating StationHell Gate and Harlem River Yards Peaker PlantsHunts Point Food TerminalRikers Island / Vernon C. Ba. This tour includes: Guided tour in EnglishFerry ticket. Discover the hidden systems that keep New York City running by exploring the East River’s islands, shorelines, and critical infrastructure. This tour reveals the evolution of NYC’s power network—from the chaos of more than 170 early electric companies to the rise of Consolidated Edison—and examines how energy, steam, and gas shaped the city’s growth. As your g...